Woodbine 16 October 2011
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KISS IN THE FOREST confirmed promise shown on debut when, like first time out, collecting the bronze medal over track and trip in late August and, with further improvement on the cards, she could make it third time lucky. Pearl Bay and Nayeer are most feared.
QUICK CODE stayed on powerfully to land a nice pot over 6f here last time (Race For Gold third, Don's Folly fifth) and, likely to benefit from dropping back up in trip, he can make it four wins in a row. The other pair arriving here in winning form, Guitar Solo and Jungle Wave, are expected to ask most questions.
MARKED IN STONE made a promising start to his racing career when runner-up over track and trip last month and, with improvement expected, he will be strongly fancied to go one better tonight. Rising Dough appears to be heading the right way and warrants respect, while Jimmyisintheforest makes most appeal of the newcomers.
Quite a few can be given chances here but DYNAMIC ROYAL makes most appeal. He's been running in much better company without success but was only a length away in fourth when dropped to $20k claimer over a route here last month. Down in class again - and with enough basic speed to handle the drop in trip - he could take all the beating. Saluting Stormye and Zipco can fight out the minor honours.
This big prize could be heading for the UK, courtesy of Roger Charlton's in-form sprinter BATED BREATH. The colt has yet to score at this level but has run well in four Group 1 races this summer, twice just failing to peg back top sprinter, Dream Ahead. That form should be good enough to land the spoils here. The Irish challenger, Bewitched, and David Barron's Hitchens have also been campaigning with credit at the highest level but have something to find with the selection and the American-trained Right One, only beaten a neck into third in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile here last month but successful over this trip, could prove the biggest danger.
Plenty in with chances but slight preference is for BON JOVI'S SKY, who finished just behind Draw A Line and Eyes Of Blue in this grade last time when they were second, third and fourth, but has proved more consistent than his rivals, finishing second in similar contests on his two previous starts, and he can make that consistency tell tonight. Beihai Park has something to find with the selection on their recent meeting but could run into a place.
Narrate and Small Axe both filled the minor placing on their last start and merit respect, while Queen Of Bandini looks worth another chance now back down in trip but a wide draw is going to be hard to overcome. GROUNDSWELL has yet to score this season, but she finished fast for second over a furlong shorter last time and may just be happier over this trip.
Strawberrydaiquiri had I'm A Dreamer behind in the Sun Chariot at Newmarket and and Brian Meehan's mare is likely to be happier over this longer trip, while fellow British raider Sea Of Heartbreak has improved nicely throughout the season and was a good winner of the Prix de Royallieu at the Arc meeting. The former John Gosden inmate Dyna Waltz looks the pick of the North American team judged by her close second at Monmouth, but preference is for MAHBOOBA. Mike De Kock's filly was hugely impressive in a Newmarket Listed race last time and looks cherry ripe for a crack at this grade.
Charlie's The Man went close in a similar contest over further last time and the way he ran suggests this drop in trip will suit, while Dark Cloud Dancer also filled the runner-up spot in a same value contest but this is a marked step up in distance. Both have claims, but a chance is taken on EXETER ROAD finding more. Mark Casse's gelding overcame a slow start to land a valuable maiden here last time and with Lasix added this time around, he could strike.
Irish Derby and Secretariat Stakes hero TREASURE BEACH is fancied to regain the winning thread this evening. Barring a no show in the L'Arc De Triomphe (where he was forced to make the running) at Longchamp last time, Aidan O'Brien's charge has run consistently well in some of the top races this year and he seems sure to be in the thick of the action here. His former stablemate, Joshua Tree is respected after finishing third to subsequent L'Arc De Triomphe winner Danedream in a Group 1 at Baden-Baden last time, while the mightily consistent Redwood is unlikely to be far away.
Proutes has proved competitive in this grade the last twice, but she was a long way behind OUR DARRILYN last time and Steve Attard's filly is taken to confirm those placings. Flashy Episode was a solid second last time but may find this trip stretches her stamina.
